'Coronation Street': Soap To Explain Bill Roache's Ken Barlow Absence

'Coronation Street' will tackle the absence of their longest-serving actor, Bill Roache, on screen next week.

Roache, who has played bookish Ken Barlow in the ITV soap for over 50 years, is currently not appearing in the programme while he is facing charges of rape and indecent assault.

He was charged on May 1 with two counts of rape and later charged with five indecent assaults against four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16, but strenuously denies all of the allegations.

Digital Spy reportsthat Ken's absence will be worked into the storyline as his wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) reveals that he has flown off to Canada, during a double bill airing on Friday 12 July.

Ken was last seen on Monday 29 April, when his adopted daughter Tracy (Kate Ford) invited new boyfriend Rob Donovan to dinner at the Barlows'.

The soap's writers have conjured up "a last-minute trip to support his grandson Adam, who is unwell after suffering a shock collapse".

Meanwhile, 'Corrie' bosses have announced that 'East Is East' star Jimi Mistry is joining the cobbles.

He will play Gary Windass's old friend Khalid - an ex-squaddie turned personal trainer - and will appear on screen from November.

This isn't Mistry's first soap role, as he previously played Dr Fonseca in 'EastEnders'.

Viewers of the Manchester-based soap are currently watching as as scheming David Platt continues to make Nick Tilsley suspicious over his wife Leanne's relationship with her ex Peter Barlow.

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Actor William Roache, better known as television character 'Ken Barlow' in 'Coronation Street', in London when he was one of several guests at a general reception given by the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, at Downing Street.

Three stars of the long running TV series "Coronation Street" in London with their special award, received at the PYE Television Awards at the Hilton Hotel.They are (left to right) William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, Anne Kirkbride, who plays his wife Deidre and actor Johnny Briggs who caused much concern with viewers as Deidre's lover Mike Baldwin. The award was for the "massive impact" of the shows domestic love triangle.

Bill Roache arrives to attend 'A Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards' at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, meets actor Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, during her visit to Preston, Lancashire.The Queen is on the last leg of her Jubilee celebration tour after having watched the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, yesterday.

Bill Roache arriving for the 2012 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall, London

Coronation Street stars past and present turned out in force to bid a final farewell to Bryan Mosley, who for 37 years played grocer Alf Roberts in the TV soap. Bill Roache (Ken Barlow)was among a congregation of more than 300 inside Salford's Roman Catholic Cathedral. * for a special memorial service to celebrate the 67-year-old actor s life.

A giant 21st birthday key for Granada TV's cast of Coronation Street, celebrating the soap opera's 21st birthday in the interior set of the Rover's Return at Granada Studios, Manchester. Foreground, left to right, Pat Phoenix, Jack Howarth, Doris Speed and Bill Roache.

Coronation street actor Bill Roache and wife at a fashion show, held at the Midland hotel in Manchester.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis, left, greeting actor William Roache , who plays Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, with his wife Sara Roache. They were among a number of people who attended a reception at Downing Street for people from the fields of entertainment, the arts and sport.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher outside the Rovers Return with William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, on her visit to the Coronation Street set at Granada Studios, Manchester.

Coronation Street actors William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, left, and Johnny Briggs, who plays Mike Baldwin, right, with Betty Howarth, the widow of Jack Howarth at his memorial service. He played Albert Tatlock in the soap opera.

Members of the cast of ITV's soap opera Coronation Street, crowded around a cake replica of the street at the celebration to mark its 25th anniversary at the Dorchester Hotel. Front row, left to right, Julie Goodyear, Eileen Derbyshire, Thelma Barlow, William Roache, Jean Alexander and Betty Driver. Back row, left to right, Liz Dawn, Nigel Pivaro, Anne Kirkbride, Bryan Mosley and Bill Tarmey.

William Roache arriving for the BAFTA television awards at the London Palladium.

William Roache arriving for the 2010 TV Choice awards at the Dorchester Hotel, London.

William Roache MBE and Sacha Parkinson attend the National Lottery Awards at the Roundhouse in central London.

William Roache arrives at a Coronation Street party to say goodbye to their old producer Kim Crowther, Manchester.

William Roache (left) and Jack Shepherd during the National Television Awards 2010, at the 02 Arena, London.

Actor William Roache on the set of Coronation Street at Granada Studios in Manchester, with Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall. The Duchess's visit to the set was as part of the celebrations for the soaps 50th anniversary year.

Coronation Street actor William Roache leaves Granada Studios after his first day back at work since his wifes death. Manchester.

The Coronation Street location shoot at Worsley Boat yard was a very stop start affair as actor William Roache seemed to be lacking in concentration. He filmed his scenes with actress Stephanie Beacham.